Two days later,  Marinette rushed past Adrien and straight to class. Alya noticed and thought this was strange especially since Marinette claimed to like Adrien Agreste. She wondered what could have happened.  It seemed her best friend was still in the same dreary mood she was in days ago.

      "Alya, what is with her?" Adrien asked out of earshot of Marinette.

     "Oh, so you noticed too?" Alya asked.

     "Yes, she usually stutters around me, but lately she has not said a word to me," Adrien remarked.

     "Dude, it is not your fault whatever it is she must want to keep it private,"  Nino explained.

     "Private, we are her friends, Nino if she can tell us who can she tell?"  Adrien asked.

     "Marinette is so down, she gives us all a great big frown,"  Sabrina rhymed.

     "Sabrina, that is even a low for you," Chole retorted.

  "Sorry, Chole, it is just she won't smile anymore.  This is so unlike Marinette,"  Sabrina pointed out.

     "Class, be easy on Marinette, she has had a rough family situation come up recently,"  Miss Bustier announced without giving away the details.

     "Ha, as if anyone cares about that loser," Lila scoffed.

     "Lila, principals office now!" Miss Bustier said as she glared at her.

          Lila walked away towards Mr. Damocles's office as instructed. 

        The others gasped in dismay at the unfairness of the situation.  They all felt sorry for Marinette who had never been anything but kind to them.

        Later, after school, Marinette walked to her locker where she saw another sticky note. She wondered how the writer had time to write it with the classroom schedule as busy as it was anyway. She thought maybe they left it during lunchtime.  She pulled it off without a second glance at it. 

      Marinette tucked the item inside her backpack. She planned to forget all about it as she hoped the note sender would about her.  She muttered something to herself about being a useless friend, daughter, and student.  

     Adrien happened to be at his locker when Marinette approached hers. He heard her talk to herself and frowned.  He knew the things she told herself were not true.  He watched as she walked off without so much as glance his way.  He sighed.  He felt as if she avoided him.

      After supper, Adrien rushed out the door, with the excuse he had a project to work on.  He claimed it was a photography project so he took the camera with him. This way no suspicions were raised when he headed towards the park.  He snapped a few photos for fun.  He managed to get quite a few good ones.

    To Adrien's amazement, he saw Marinette on a bench with a scowl on her face. He wondered what made her smile vanish, it was like she told him though.  He walked slowly in her direction and asked,  "Excuse me, Miss, but is this seat taken?"

    "Not at all," Marinette answered.  She looked up to see who had spoken to her.

      "A-Adrien, s-sorry, I b-better g-go,"  She muttered.

      "Marinette, it is okay. You can stay, I will go if you want me too, but just know I am here for you,"  He said with a sigh.

        Adrien walked away before he kissed her.  He knew if he did it she would be furious.  It was not as if she cared for him.  The thought that he was a friend in her eyes was enough for the moment.  He went home unsure how to help his friend, who in his mind he wished could be more.  

      Marinette watched her crush as he walked away from her. She thought great going Marinette now you have shoved him to the side like everyone else. She sobbed once more as the thought dawned on her that perhaps Adrien hated her.  Why else did he sit at another table during lunch lately?

     Dear Marinette,

    My good friend, Adrien, told me to let you know that it is okay not to be okay.

  It is alright to cry and even be angry.  It is not normal to hold your feelings inside and he knows because he used to do this himself years ago.  This was until he became friends with Alya, Nino, and you.

     Well, princess, what is this nonsense about your calling yourself useless?  It is not true.

        No matter what happens to you, your friends care about you.

          Adrien especially cares, but he does not know how to help you.  So he asked me for help.

      Marinette, princess, even if you ever need a shoulder to cry on let me know. Chat is here for you.

      Sincerely,

    Chat Noir 

     "Chat, ha, as if you ever were.  It is a cruel joke to say such a thing," Marinette said to herself.

     "What was that princess?" A voice behind her asked.

          Marinette turned around and saw Chat Noir standing there.  She stood there speechless.

             Find out more in   Sticky Notes  part 3  (Marichat/Adrienette)